Adventure Therapy: 7 Exciting Activities That Accelerate the Healing Process

Types of Adventure Therapy Activities

The use of adventure as therapy can involve a wide range of outdoor activities, each offering unique therapeutic benefits. The specific activities available depend on where your treatment program is located and your treatment goals, physical abilities, and comfort level with different challenges.

1. Hiking and Wilderness Therapy 

Wilderness therapy involves extended time in natural settings like forests, mountains, or deserts through activities like hiking and backpacking. Participants learn outdoor survival skills while processing personal challenges. This immersive approach helps you disconnect from daily stressors and develop self-reliance.

Discover how the healing power of nature can support mental health treatment in our article on ecotherapy for recovery.

2. Rock Climbing and Ropes Courses 

These activities provide clear, achievable goals while addressing fears and building trust. As you learn to rely on your teammates and safety equipment, you’ll develop confidence in your ability to take calculated risks and overcome obstacles.

3. Water-Based Activities 

Surfing, kayaking, and canoeing offer unique therapeutic benefits through their rhythmic, meditative qualities. Surf therapy has shown especially effective results for people with PTSD⁵ and depression, including military veterans. 

Learn more about the science-backed healing benefits of surf therapy.

4. Winter Sports 

Skiing and snowboarding entail plenty of opportunities to face fears and build confidence in challenging conditions. The focus these activities require helps quiet anxious thoughts while building physical strength and coordination.

Dr. Ryan Drzewiecki, Director of Clinical Operations at All Points North Lodge in Vail Valley, Colorado says these sports offer more than just a way for clients to relax and have fun:

We have so many fantastic opportunities for activities outside of here, being in Colorado and being at the top of the mountain. We have canoeing and kayaking on the river, a lot of hikes, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, ATVing. We’ll take clients skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing in the winter. We have so many different options there, which we marry with an experiential philosophy of therapy. It’s empowering and it’s humbling at the same time, just to be here, to look out through these windows and see mountains for miles. It puts into perspective where you’re at and what you’re doing. It also helps people just to understand where they’re at.

5. Wildlife and Nature Experiences 

Safari experiences and wildlife observation programs help participants develop patience, mindfulness, and connection to the natural world. 

Director and Co-Owner Giles Fourie explains how at White River Manor in South Africa, safaris are a main component of the therapeutic experience:

To have a safari as a part of your therapy process is very special. The company we use and the people who take our clients out really understand it from a therapeutic perspective. It’s not just about going to sit in a vehicle and view animals, it’s about really understanding our experience in nature and how we’re all a part of this world we live in.

6. Equine Therapy 

Working with horses develops emotional regulation and interpersonal skills. Horses provide immediate feedback about your emotional state, making them highly supportive partners in the healing process.

7. Team-Building Activities 

Team challenge courses use problem-solving activities that require group cooperation. These activities are great for developing social skills and learning healthy ways to handle conflict.

Benefits of Adventure Therapy for People in Recovery

Adventure therapy offers a unique combination of mental, physical, and social benefits that work together to support your treatment progress. Research consistently shows that this approach has significant benefits for people with conditions like depression,⁶ anxiety, trauma, and addiction.

• Mental well-being: Physical activity and achievement-based challenges in natural settings naturally boost mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• Physical health: Regular outdoor activity helps regulate sleep patterns, reduces chronic pain, and strengthens your immune system while improving overall fitness.
• Self-esteem and confidence building: Each challenge you overcome becomes evidence that you’re capable of handling difficult situations, providing concrete proof of your strength and resilience.
• Social skills development: Group settings help you learn to communicate effectively under pressure, resolve conflicts constructively, and build healthy relationships.
• Problem-solving abilities: Outdoor challenges require creative thinking, adaptability, and persistence—skills that transfer directly to daily life situations.
• Healthy coping mechanisms: You learn to use physical activity, time in nature, and past achievements to manage difficult emotions instead of turning to unhealthy behaviors.

Adventure Therapy for Teens and Young Adults

This modality is often used in programs for teenagers and young adults because it aligns perfectly with their developmental needs and learning styles. During these pivotal years, young people are forming their identities, developing independence, and learning how to navigate complex social relationships—all areas where adventure therapy excels.

Teens’ brains are still developing, especially in the areas related to decision-making and emotional regulation. Adventure therapy is a safe space where they can practice making choices and experiencing natural consequences without serious real-world risks. When young people learn to make split-second decisions while rock climbing or navigating a wilderness trail, they’re building executive function skills that will serve them throughout life.

A Less Intimidating Path for Reluctant Teens

Research shows that adventure therapy is effective for teens struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, substance abuse, committed parents, depression, oppositional defiant disorder, and other behavioral problems. The powerful combo of physical challenge, peer interaction, and achievement helps address multiple symptoms at once. A lot of young folks who resist traditional therapy find adventure therapy less threatening and more engaging.

While teens and young adults are a primary focus, adventure therapy benefits people of all age groups and backgrounds. 

Finding the Right Adventure Therapy Program

If you’re searching for an adventure therapy program, consider your treatment goals and your comfort level with outdoor activities. Some programs focus on specific populations like teens or young adults, while others serve diverse groups.

Staff Qualifications

Look for programs led by experienced mental health professionals who specialize in outdoor safety and adventure programming. Reputable programs will have staff certified by organizations like the Association for Experiential Education (AEE) or similar professional bodies.

Learn how to assess whether a facility’s team has the right expertise in our guide to choosing a rehab center with qualified staff.

Safety

Safety protocols should be comprehensive and clearly outlined, and staff should be able to answer any questions you have in order to feel safe. Ask about staff-to-participant ratios, emergency procedures, and how they accommodate different physical abilities. 

Pricing 

Cost varies widely depending on program structure, amenities, and level of care. On average, a 30-day residential treatment program may cost between $15,000 and $25,000, though high-end or international programs can exceed this range. Pricing often reflects not just lodging and outdoor activities but also clinical services, staffing ratios, and safety protocols. 

Some insurance plans cover adventure therapy when it’s provided by licensed clinicians, so check with your provider about reimbursement options.

Ready to Summit Your Recovery Goals?

Adventure therapy offers an immersive, fun, and effective path to healing that combines nature’s therapeutic benefits with evidence-based therapy practice. If this approach sounds right for you or your loved one, look for treatment centers offering adventure therapy to find quality programs near you.

FAQs

Q: Is adventure therapy real? 

A: Yes, adventure therapy is a recognized and evidence-based form of treatment. It’s practiced by licensed mental health professionals and has been studied extensively in research settings, showing positive outcomes for various mental illnesses.

Q: What is the job description of an adventure therapist? 

A: Adventure therapists are licensed mental health professionals who have additional training in outdoor programming and safety. They design and lead therapeutic activities, facilitate group processing sessions, ensure participant safety, and integrate outdoor experiences with conventional therapy techniques.

Q: Are wilderness therapy and adventure learning interventions cost-effective? 

A: Adventure therapy can be a very cost-effective⁷ treatment, especially for adolescents and young adults. While initial costs may be higher than traditional therapy, many participants require fewer total treatment sessions and experience lasting improvements that reduce long-term healthcare costs.

Q: Do wilderness therapy programs offer psychotherapy and counseling? 

A: Yes, reputable wilderness therapy programs include individual and group counseling as core components. Licensed therapists provide traditional psychotherapy alongside adventure activities as part of a comprehensive treatment approach that addresses both immediate mental health and addiction symptoms as well as underlying issues.